Kids don't mind the cold? Then pack them off to Saturday Morning Nature Explorers at the Brockwell Park Greenhouses. Aimed at 7 to 12 yr olds, it starts at 10am and costs £2 a child.

The Brockwell Park Greenhouses are located not far from the cafe on the top of the hill in Brockwell Park. Buses to the main park entrance at Herne Hill include 3, 196, 322, 68 and 37. You can also catch the overground to Herne Hill.

Looking for pressies? Like a bit of craft? Then head to Battersea Arts Centre, Lavender Hill, SW11 for the We Make London Christmas Fair. Parents with small children can drop them off to the Bees Knees creche and get on with their shopping!

Rush back from shopping and head up to West Norwood for A Festive Event of Christmas carols, children's activities and hot food and drink. The evening is located at St Lukes (that's the great big church) and runs from 4pm to 8pm.To get to West Norwood, you can catch buses 2, 68, 315 432 and 322. The area is also served by the overground at West Norwood Station.

SUNDAY (2nd December)

Didn't get up to West Norwood yesterday? Head up today for the West Norwood Feast which has lots of Christmassy events for the family (see link here!) Looks like lots of fun. The day starts at 10am and finishes at 4pm.

Buses and trains as mention before.

Are you closer to North Lambeth? Fancy popping to Morley Winter fair. It runs from 11:30am to 3:30pm, has family activities and free face painting!

Morley College is located at 61 Westminster Bridge Road, SE1 and can be reached by buses 159 and 59 or Lambeth North tube station.

Tired of Christmas already? Then celebrate the Pagan Roman Festival of Saturnalia at Guildhall Art Gallery today from 12pm to 4pm. There will be lantern making, shrine offering and handling Roman objects.

Monday, 26 November 2012

Having a baby is all about getting over hurdles and one of mine was singing baby songs in public. I just could not envision myself at a mother and baby group singing about stars and bobbins.

However, seeing the Boy’s glee as his father and I sang to him (largely, for some reason Kenny Rogers’ ‘The Gambler’), I realised that not going to such groups probably meant I was denying him something he would love.

So I bit the bullet and reluctantly went to a Tippee Toes class at The Dish and Spoon cafe in Nunhead.

And actually, it was fun. The class started with a welcome song aimed at each baby in the group and the Boy seemed astonished and thrilled as everyone sang his name to him. A variety of baby songs were sung, with movements and props, including the monkey who comes round for a hug, and maracas, which went straight in the mouth, of course. And Boy was open-mouthed and wide-eyed with excitement and pleasure all the way through. The leader of the class was welcoming, enthusiastic but not overbearing and it was clear that older baby-regulars adored her.

It was lovely for me too. I was initially cynical about how much babies gain from their mothers sitting around singing and jiggling them about but actually, I think there is a lot to gain, and not only for the babies. Singing songs that you remember from when you were small yourself gives you a sort of connection to your past and to your own mother, and, I felt at least, it also made me feel more secure in my own position as a mother. There is something reassuring in the idea that you are repeating the words and songs and actions that countless other mothers have before you. Somehow it gave me the sense that I was part of a longer tradition, and that was a good enough feeling to over-ride my default sense of embarrassment.

Friday, 23 November 2012

Wow - end of the month already. Where has the time gone? Baby Boo-boo has just turned 9 months and I'm back to work in Jan! So lets get on and enjoy ourselves! What can we do this weekend?SATURDAY (24th November)

In case you haven't noticed, Christmas is just around the corner and as a warm up, Brixton market has their Christmas Experience Market on Saturday from 10 am to 5pm on Station Road. This includes a big tree that needs decorating so bring the kids down with some decorations and lend a hand!

Want a chance to explore the city? Then have a go at the Natural History Museum Treasure Hunt running on Saturday and Sunday. Visit up to twelve location where kids have to take a rubbing of a raised drawing which relates to a treasure at the new gallery at the museum. Each rubbing is an entry for a competition! The hunt is on between 10am to 4pm. Check out their website for instructions!

And a final reminder, it's the last week of the Charles Dickens' Exhibition at Southwark's little Cumming Museum, located on Walworth Road. The museum is open between 10am til 5pm.

To get to the museum, you can catch a 35 or 45 along the Walworth Road or go to Elephant and Castle on the 133, 155 or 415 and it's a short walk from there.

SUNDAY (25th November)

Are the family willing to brave the cold, then Sunday is Junior Dig the Park up at the Greenhouses at Brockwell Park.Help plant 60 tree in the park. The event runs between 10:30am to 12:30pm for ages 5 and older. Get out the thermals, hats, gloves, scarves and warm coats!

And then visit the Herne Hill Market afterwards for some well earned food - it stays open to 4pm. I can recommend the hot apple juice with ginger!

And finally, looking for a space indoors to explore? Then head to the Tate Britain in Pimlico (just across the river from Vauxhall!). Every weekend they run Liminal, an interactive experience with sculpture for families running between 11am to 3pm. Ask at the Information desk when you get there.

Thursday, 22 November 2012

Yes, it's my next visit to Soft Play. How will Boo-boo and I have fared on this outing?

This soft play is the type that can be dismantled and put away so we were here for one of the many sessions they run during the week. This activity is held at the very very clean and sparkly new Clapham Leisure Centre in their large sports hall. Half of it had been cordoned off and the other half filled with soft play blocks and shapes, an inflatable bouncy castle and a toddlers climbing frame all set upon soft mats so no nasty falls for the little ones!

So when we arrived there were two other children there... a little quiet for a miserable grey Monday afternoon. I presumed everyone stayed at home. Anyway, we got to it, shoes off for me, coat off for baby and headed straight into the fun! Boo-boo always looks rather baffled by it all - she isn't quite sure how to react to it but eventually she started to get excited by all the shapes and things to clamber over. At 8 and a half month and a furious sniper crawler, she is keen to roam but somehow this wasn't quite inspiring her but did suit the babies and toddlers who were able to walk and understood what to do to get the fun out of the soft play.

So we soldiered on, smiling at other children whilst Boo-boo either attempted to wave at them or suck the soft play item. We did have a sit in the bouncy castle and I got chatting to another mum who told me it can get really busy. I can imagine that and it not being much fun for the very little ones. Then the daughter got restless and it was time for us to say farewell.

Overall I found it a little underwhelming and didn't look as much fun as the one at the Rec. It was cleaner and everything brand spanking new. But they did have a man on guard to check your ticket and just keep an eye on what was going on. However it wasn't too comfortable for parents if you wanted or needed to sit down with your child.

Toddlers World is located in the Sports Hall at Clapham Leisure Centre, 141 Clapham Manor Street SW4 6DB. The sessions for the week are on everyday at 1:30pm to 3pm and extra sessions on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday at 9:30am to 11am.

Entrance is £2.70 per child. For any other information, contact the centre on tel: 020 7627 7900

Tuesday, 20 November 2012

It came up in a discussion recently that most of the events for babies either benefit the child or the parent but rarely both. Bach to baby offers something which both baby and mum or dad can enjoy - a session of classical music.

Each month Bach to Baby creates a theme for it's choice of music. It then plays at different venues around the capital. Parents attend with their children. Adults cost £10 and kids are free. The children can make all the funny sounds and noises they like, wander around freely (though not straying into the path of the musicians) and enjoy the music. Adults get to also enjoy the music whilst knowing their child isn't having to remain silent (which we know under a certain age is pretty impossible!)

They have recently started holding a Bach to Baby event in Pimlico. I went to check it out. The venue for the concert is a gorgeous old Victorian church. Coffee and tea are available at a price. Buggies are parked in an area of the church. Then you just pick a pew, sit back and enjoy the music. After an introduction to the musician and some information about the musical theme of the month, Miaomiao Yu, who set up this wonderful event, explained some of the background to each piece of music before it began. I sure many mums enjoyed hearing about something which stimulates the minds and isn't baby related.

The concert almost felt like it wasn't long enough. I forgot how much I loved listening to live classical music. The baby loved it and banged along to the songs before sleeping though a bit of Gershwin and a rousing version of America!

Bach to baby is held at different venues across the London. One concert is at Clapham and two others are nearby at Dulwich and Pimlico. Concerts are an hour long including nursery rhymes at the end. The concerts usually start at 10:30am. For more information about these concerts, visit the Bach to Baby website.

I recommend everyone do this at least once during their maternity leave!

Thursday, 15 November 2012

We are now heading into the Christmas Season. Mid-November marks the point where we might have to actually start thinking about turkey, Christmas crackers and presents for the family. But lets put that off for the moment. So what can we do this weekend?SATURDAY (17th November)

First up, a parents and buggy event - yes it's a free guided walk (called the CoolTan Arts' Largactyl Shuffle). Their walk is designed to encourage mental and
physical wellbeing, through art, exercise, humour and history. This month''s theme is William Blake. The walk starts at 12pm at the Tate Modern and the walk leaders will be wearing high-viz vests. Contact them on the day 07985 658443 if you can't find them.

If you get up to the Tate modern earlier, you can always pop into their Under Fives Zone - a chance for the really little kids to explore art. Saturday opening for the Tate is 10am to 10pm.

Boo-boo becomes an art piece at the Tate!

To get to
the Tate Modern on bus, the 45 which passes through Brixton stops at
Blackfriars Bridge Road. Alternatively, there is always the tube to Southwark.

Whilst on my preambulations, I was handed a leaflet for the Young Socialists Autumn Fayre. Asides, from bric-a-brac, tombola and raffles, it includes the essentials for kids - a bouncy castle and face painting! The event is at Lambeth College, Brixton Centre at 56 Brixton Hill, SW2 1QS and starts at 12pm!

Looking for nearly new kids items and christmas crafts? Then visit the Table Sale held at St Margaret's Church, Barcombe
Avenue, SW2 between 2.30-4.30pm. Organised by local Mums to sell their great quality stuff
to other local parents. Let the kids root around for some new toys at bargain prices!Buses to Streatham Hill include 159, 133, 137, 109, 118 and 59.

Fancy a self led Saturday stroll? Then we recommend you check out the Capital Ring Walk - A route going through the greenery of London. Section 4 is a pleasant walk between Crystal Palace and Streatham. Check out the website to download a map and directions which include facts about the area.

The buses 3, 417, 249, 432 and 322 take you into the Crystal Palace area. The walk starts at Crystal Palace Train Station.

SUNDAY (18th November)

If the sun is shining, take an opportunity to learn a bit about the plants on Brockwell Park and have a bit of a forage. The Brockwell Park Community Greenhouses are running a Family Foraging Walk from 2pm at the greenhouses. There is a suggested donation of £2.50 per child. Contact Beth on 07427 685714.

Brockwell park can be reached by bus route 2, 3, 68, 37 and 196 as well as the overground at Herne Hill.
Happy to go a little further afield, then pop up to the London Eye to visit the Christmas Market which will be on from this weekend to Christmas Eve. Opening times are 10am to 10pm. This German style market has over 80 chalets selling gifts and food with two designed especially with children in mind. There will be a free choir performance at 1:30pm and 7:00pm to put you in the Christmas Spirit,

To get to the London Eye, catch the 159, 77 and 12 or take the tube to Waterloo.

And finally, want to travel even further? Than head to the Victoria and Albert (V &A) Museum. As the days get colder, this is a day out with lots to see and do and it's indoors!. The V & A offers family packs for children to help navigate and enjoy the collections, including a pack for the under-fives. Pick these up at the main entrance.

The V& A museum is located in South Kensington which can be reached by the underground or bus 345.Have a wonderful weekend! May it be full of smiles!

Tuesday, 13 November 2012

I have decided to venture further afield and see what is out there for the little one. I enjoy the bus journey, getting out of the house and seeing new things. This time the destination is Balham! A trip to visit Bertie and Boo Adventure Island.

It's easy to find as it is on the main road through Balham. As you approach you get a sense of it's popularity as mums and buggies storm pass you. Upon entering you are greeted by a sea of pushchairs, and lots of mums with toddlers all bouncing around the place. It's a little bit crazy!

Children under 18 months old get in for free however this means they get to play in a very small baby space outside the main soft play area (I understand they plan to expand this space). There was some soft mats and balls, shapes and a machine which blew air and kept the balls floating which amused the babies. However this little space wasn't a haven of peace for the babies as the toddlers would finish a play session, run into the baby section and go crazy!! It was like a baby mosh pit!

So I didn't stay long. The bigger space looks great. It has timed hourly session for £2.50 and all day tickets for £3.90 all day (just makes me tired thinking about it). They also do weekly events such as drama club and magical story of the week - these cost extra and include use of the soft play facilities. More information can be found on their website. If Balham is local to you (yes I'm talking to the Streatham/Clapham parents) then it's definitely worth a visit. I look forward to going back when my daughter is a bit older!

Bertie and Boo Adventure Island is located at 205-207 Balham High Road, SW17 7BQ. Opening times for soft play are:

Thursday, 8 November 2012

Well, Christmas is well on the way. Halloween and Bonfire night have been and gone! So what's on for families this weekend?

SATURDAY (10th November)

For parents with babies in buggies, this Saturday is the monthly Brixton Market Heritage Walk led by the Brixton Society. Learn about the amazing history of the area. The tour starts at 2:30pm - meet at the corner of Beehive Place and Brixton Station Road. It cost £3 each and includes a free booklet.

If you have older kids and you can spare a few quid, then join your children up to the Kids Club at the Ritzy or Clapham picture house. Membership is £4. Films are on at 10:30 am in Brixton and 11:45am in Clapham. Kids and accompanying adult's entry is £1 each.

Travel through Brixton already mentioned. Buses through Clapham include the 35, 37, 322, 88, 155 and 345. Clapham Common is the nearest Tube station to the cinema.

If your little one is too young for these film clubs, then
pop to your local library and check out the children’s
movies on DVD. It’s £1 a film to rent for 3 days. And to make it more of a
cinematic experience, cook up some popcorn and serve a juice drink with a
straw!!

Happy to travel outside of the area? This Saturday, see the amazing Lord Mayor's Show, a three mile long procession through the City of London. The event starts at 11am and carries on to 2pm.

Suggestions for getting there are Thameslink trains from Herne Hill to get off at Blackfriars or Farringdon. Or catch the tube to Bank.

Want something to exercise the brain cells? Then head out to theFestival of Geology. Activities include handling extraordinary rocks, minerals and fossils, having a go at gem panning and casting a fossil. Events run between 10:30am to 4:30pm at UCL Main (Wilkins) Building, Gower Street, WC1E 6BT. The 59 bus will take you into the area.

SUNDAY (11th November)

Looking for something on Sunday, then head to the Cartoon Museum to learn about 75 years of the Dandy comic. It costs £5.50 for adults but children go free. Catch the 59 bus up to Holborn to visit the museum on 35 Little Russell St, LondonWC1A 2HH. Sunday opening is noon to 5:30pm.

Want something to do closer to home? Then can I suggest a pleasant walk in Brockwell Park with a visit to the Community Greenhouses(open 12pm-4pm). Follow that with a slice of cake and a hot drink at the cafe on the top of the hill or head to the Florence for a plate of chips (and a pint for mum and dad).

And whilst in Herne Hill, take a look at their Sunday Market 10am to 4 pm - foods and crafts. Buses into the area include 3, 196, 322, 68 and 37.

Wednesday, 7 November 2012

Once a week, I give you guys a list of where you could go to at the weekend and sometimes my family and I manage to do some of these things. This week, we popped into the Barbican specifically to catch Random International's Rain Room.

We had heard the queues were big and manged to get there for 11am when the piece opens however we only waited 50 mins before we got in. It really is very much a novelty thing but still fun and impressive. And the wait wasn't too bad when you have giant cups of hot chocolate (must remind the other half that a pint of liquid is not a good idea when you are waiting in a long queue)!

Surrounded by rain but still dry!

We were also lucky to be visiting when it was the Natural Circuits Barbican Weekender which had lots of free workshops and spectacles to watch or interact with. Many were aimed at all ages so there were lots of families around.

First up we had a go at the Lumacoustics Yrwall - a digital graffiti wall. Although the opportunity has come along for me to have a go at spraying a can, I have yet to take it up so this was my moment (although I disguised it as Boo-boo's thing). It was fun.

Boo-boo has a go at painting!

We had some lunch, fed the child and watch a dance perform (verdict:curious) and then headed to see the Black Country Atelier's 3-D printers. There were participants customising set shapes which would then be created in 3-D using the printers. It was all very Star Trek.

Ohh! 3-D printers!

We then popped down to a dance floor where our body movements were turned into patterns on the screen in front of us.

Making dance shapes for the wall.

And next up we went to have a look at the conservatory (the second largest in London). I do love a good greenhouse. Unfortunately we could only look around the one level as there was no way we could get the buggy up the stairs. Still we saw Koi carp, finches and lots of plants!

In the Conservatory! (not Triffids)

And then..... I got tired and we went home...

...but what fun we had.

This event was just on for the weekend but the Rain Room is open til 3rd March 2012.

The conservatory opens on a Sunday between 11am to 5:30pm.

The Barbican has several exhibition spaces, a theatre, library and cinema. It really is a great space to visit and often host to weekend events for family activities. You can register with them to receive news of events.

Monday, 5 November 2012

During pregnancy, you'll see lots of shocking figures about how much the first year of a baby's life will cost. Well we have good news for you. It doesn't need to be that much if you are happy with getting some items second hand.

So what are your options?

ONLINE SHOPPING

Ebay is your friend. Is there something you' have been recommended and you are happy to buy second hand? Then visit this website. One tip for shoppers is to always check postage costs or if something can be delivered by a post or courier (especially with large items). Otherwise it's a great way to get a good quality cot or piece of nursery furniture or anything else at a discounted price.

Another option is Gumtree. The only flaw with this option is you could travel quite far to find the goods aren't quite what they seem. So I would suggest you stay fairly local.

Don't want to spend the money? then try Freecycle. I managed to get a moses basket and stand for the little one.

CHARITY SHOPS

There are a fair few charity shops in the Lambeth area and I have to say none of them are that amazing for baby and kids items but here is a list of ones to visit:

Brixton

Barnardos: 414 Brixton Road, Brixton, SW9 7AY

They use to have baskets with kids clothes which you could rummage through but seem to have stuck everything on a rail. Good for clothes but not much else.

Streatham

Cancer Research UK: 65 Streatham High Rd,
SW16 1PH

Kids clothes, toys and often pieces like car seats and Moses baskets.

British Heart Foundation: 75 Streatham High Rd,
SW16 1PH

Good for clothes and toys.

Give a Little:71 Streatham Hill, London SW2 4TX

Has an organised children section with lots of baby and kids items. However it's in the basement which is no good for mums with buggies!

Thursday, 1 November 2012

Wow! Hasn't the year gone fast! November is here and Christmas just around the corner. Let see what the weekend has to offer.

SATURDAY (3rd November)

For those with kids under five, there's a fantastic day of art (called Tiny Tate) at the Tate Britain between 10am to 3pm. Hop on the buses 2, 185, 36, 436 and 88 or catch the tube to Pimlico.

Want a bit more art and happy to travel further? Then head to the Barbican to see Random International's Rain Room - an art installation where you control the rain! It is open between 11am - 8pm and queues are big. So maybe one for a weekday visit!

Also visit the Lumacoustics' YrWall in the foyer - a digital canvas which allows you to keep painting - fun for young and old!

And if you're up that way, check out the Museum of London for an event called Stories Retold which looks at how a story can go from a story to a book and back again. This is aimed at the over fives and is on at the following times: 1-1.30pm, 2-2.30pm & 3-3.30pm. The event is repeated on Sunday.To get to the Barbican and the Museum of London, catch the 133 to Liverpool Street and catch the 153 or 100. Or take the tube to Barbican Station (which has lifts!)

SUNDAY (4th November)

Head up to West Norwood for this month's Feast. Shop at the different markets and let the kids run off some steam at the front of St Luke's Church. The event runs from 10am to 4pm.

West Norwood Feast seen from St Luke's steps.

To get to West Norwood, you can catch buses 2, 68, 315 432 and 322. The area is also served by the overground at West Norwood Station.

For those with babies in buggies, first Sundays of the month are the West Norwood Cemetary tours. Learn about the famous people buried here. Meet at 11am at the Cemetary gates. Donations welcome.

Learning about the history of West Norwood Cemetery.

Alternatively head out on the P4 bus to Forest Hill and take a visit to the Horniman Museum for a World of Stories at the Hands On Base. This starts at 11am and lasts for 45 minutes.So lots of possibilities! Enjoy them! Happy weekend!